After my world irrevocably changed two years ago, I knew my life could never return to what it had been. It also became apparent I would not be the same either. I am still discovering what the new me will be. Of course there will be elements of the old me, but I cannot be the same after such a traumatic loss. Nor would I want to be the same as that would ignore what happened, and is why the words ‘move on’ rankle. Instead over the coming months and years I will move forward, carrying both my grief and my love, as I discover ways to reconstruct and renew both me and my life. This brings me to May Squares and the theme which has been burgeoning in my mind for a couple of months.

I was inspired when I returned to one of the last places in the UK that Robert and I had visited together – the shoreline of Southampton Water. I was actually on my way somewhere else and travelling by train because I no longer have a car.

It was essential I got to my final destination on time, but one of the trains was only every hour. Rather than worry about missing connections or more likely delayed trains making me late, I decided to travel earlier and use the time to go exploring.

It was lovely to be beside the sea, and to be somewhere we had visited in the year or so before he died. It wasn’t just those memories I remembered standing here, I also recalled our early days as a couple. We travelled this waterway at least weekly then, as I had moved to the Isle of Wight.

Standing here looking out across the water I felt as though I was ready to move forward; there was a hint of renewal. No wonder I am looking forward to taking the same diversion when I revisit my friend, who also happens to my hairdresser, for another haircut later this month. I will be arriving even earlier as I am travelling from further afield.

And I invite you to join me. Not for the haircut or even for the journey, but by taking part in the Squares Challenge from 1st May until 31st May with photographic squares that;

  • Move Forward
  • Reconstruct
  • Renew
  • and/or are Burgeoning

I’m hopeful one or all of these words will strike a chord with everyone; whether you are a street photographer, history buff, nature lover, petrol head, gardener or just someone who loves developing artistic squares. But if they and the tag #SquaresRenew don’t conjure up any ideas or images at the moment, don’t panic! Squares will reconstruct and there is only one rule;

Your photograph must be square in shape

70 thoughts

  3. Pingback: A Square Retrospective – 2022 – The life of B

  4. Beautiful skies, Becky, and I’m sure your hair looks lovely too! It’s good to have Squares back again. I shall have to put my thinking cap on for it, or just wing it as usual. I probably won’t be every day, with the way my blog’s set up, but who knows. That’s one of the fun things about doing these.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. hee hee yeah the wild look is definitely the normal look these days!

      And great you’ll be able to join us for 1, 3 or even 31 days. As you know I never mind how many times as long as it is square 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Hi Becky, I am absolutely looking forward to participating in Squares next month and moving forward with you – what an excellent theme 🥰 You are sounding so good and that’s lovely, as is this gorgeous shoreline. Virtual hugs are always being sent your way 🤗

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Thank you for the heads-up on the theme. I’m looking forward to participating and will probably do as I did in the past, create a single post with a number of images. I’m already starting to consider what approach I will take …

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Thanks for giving up a heads up on what coming in May. I think I “move forward” with your theme. You are sounding so good. It’s nice to have hope again. :D 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Cee, and love you will probably ‘move forward’. Things are feeling a bit more positive, which is a nice feeling. Keeping my fingers crossed I may be making a decision soon on my new home

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Well, I already have some ideas and this is a theme I can work with using photos from a trip last October. I’m glad you’ve given us plenty of time to get organised. I’m also pleased to hear the positivity in your words. I know from experience that you don’t just “move on”, but with time you do learn to live with what has happened and your cherished memories will sustain you.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. It’s nice to travel back with you to a part of your past I didn’t know about, and then to move forward with you, and I’m smiling, Becky. It’s been a journey, and it’s not over yet. 

    Liked by 1 person

  15. This is a brilliant choice of theme, Becky, and so positive too. I’m letting the idea just wash around slowly in my mind, and we’ll see what fetches up next month.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Hmm, will have to think about that one. Probably a very literal interpretation and probably not every day because I am still a year behind with blogging my gallivants. And yet I keep adding to them which I’m not about to stop! I will think about how I can maybe incorporate my travels into it, because after all that is a form of moving on, is it not?

    Liked by 2 people

  17. This is a wonderful theme. For sure I will be joining you every once in a while. But at the moment nothing comes to mind yet… but I know I can think of something.
    Be well Becky

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Oh no! Choice….I will have a hang of a time with four words/ideas to pick from……and then songs…….you’ll do my head in with these squares Becky 🤪
    That is a lovely place to sit and reflect 🥰

    Liked by 2 people

        4. Example a few minutes ago. Went to take cup of tea heated up in microwave oven, opened the drawer below the microwave and wondered why I did that 🙄

          Liked by 1 person

        5. at least you remembered you had made one – far too many times recently I have thought ooh I’ll have a tea, and off I go to kitchen only to find there is one there that is both undrunk and cold!

          Liked by 1 person

  20. I like this a lot Becky. Thank you for sharing. I may indeed join in too. I am learning to move forward after the death of my father aged 100!

    I’m on instagram but I keep the account private to avoid the spam/bots/trolls.

    I’m @denysewhelan

    Warm wishes from Australia,

    Denyse

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.